Receptacle liner

ABSTRACT

A liner is provided for a generally cylindrical bucket having an upper rim, a contiguous side wall and a bottom defining an interior, and a handle mechanism on an outer surface of the sidewall. The liner includes a collar portion adapted and constructed to snap-fit onto the upper rim of the bucket. A liner body is secured to the collar portion, and has a shape generally conforming to the interior of the bucket. At least one tab is secured to the collar portion. The tab has a shape and location adapted and constructed to facilitate removal of the liner from the bucket At least one overhang is secured to the liner and engages the bucket handle mechanism to support the liner.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

None.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The use of buckets predates recorded history. Images of buckets are found in ancient stone carvings, and are believed to be among the first relatively complex implements devised by our ancestors. Fragments of ancient clay buckets, most probably used as paint containers, have accidentally been found in Persepolis, an Iranian World Heritage Site in Fars province, and are believed to be several thousand years old. The ancient Persians and Egyptians used a shaduf, consisting of a pole with a bucket or pot on one end, a counterweight at the other end, and supported in between by a vertical post. A person grasped the pole and dipped the bucket into a body of water in order to fill it with water. The counterweight then lifts the bucket, and the bucket is swung over and emptied into an irrigation ditch. The shaduf is still used in rural Egypt.

Early buckets were fashioned from leather or carved from wood. Later, buckets were crafted from wooden staves held together with hoops, much in the manner of barrels. As industry developed, buckets were mass-produced from metal. In the latter part of the 20^(th) century, plastic buckets began to be widely available. Today, plastic buckets, particularly 5-gallon plastic buckets, are almost ubiquitous, and are used for an almost unlimited number of applications, including storing and mixing automobile cleaners, paint, mortar, drywall mud, grouting, and other construction-related materials, and acting as a receptacle for sports equipment, toys, soiled clothing, diapers, trash, and other household items.

In many instances, the use of liners for buckets has proven to be desirable. Liners allow the bucket to be used for potentially harmful or inconvenient substances, or for items to be held within the bucket without damage to the bucket itself. The liner can be removed and cleaned, or simply disposed of, allowing the bucket to be reused time and again.

Liners and related accessories for receptacles have been the subject of a high degree of inventive activity, as evidenced by the patent literature. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,407,063 concerns a container that can hold a liquid, such as paint, or a granulated material that includes a side wall portion, a bottom portion formed at one end of the side wall portion, and a well region formed in the bottom portion. The bottom portion includes an inclined surface. Alternatively, the bottom portion can be shaped to be frustoconical, hemispherical or an inverted pyramid.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,159,734 deals with a paint container liner system including disposable liners and an open container for receiving at least one of the disposable liners, the liners being sized and configured to fit into the inside of the container and around the rim of the container, the liners being maintained in position in the container by a suction generated during installation in one embodiment and by a noncuring adhesive interposed between the liner and container in another embodiment, the liners also being stretched around the rim of the container and in another embodiment configured with a rounded bottom to retain the liner in place during use, the system also including a container cap with a slot for supporting a paint brush during periods of nonuse.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,253,995 shows an insulated container that includes a sidewall formed with an outer layer, an inner layer, and a fluted layer located between the outer and inner layers. The fluted layer includes elongated flutes extending in a substantially lateral direction around the container. The inner layer comprises a paper layer arranged with its machine direction extending substantially perpendicular to the direction in which the flutes extend. The outer layer comprises paper that is capable of stretching sufficiently to accommodate an outer circumference of the container. Additional insulated containers and sidewalls having laterally extending flutes and methods therefor are further provided.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,199,718 involves a plastic bucket or pail having a receptacle portion unitarily formed with a grate portion that can be used to apply paint or other suitable materials to a roller. One can squeeze excess paint from the roller by rolling it over the grate. The bucket may be included as part of an integral product in which paint is provided in a sealed bucket.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,143,242 describes a paint bucket lined with a disposable plastic bag type liner. Combination bucket and liner includes an air evacuation or extraction provision to “suck” the liner firmly against the interior of bucket. The individual liners are initially held in the bucket using an airtight circumferential sealing ring which engages the rim of bucket. Most of the air which is trapped between liner and the interior surface of the bucket is then evacuated out a closeable orifice in the lower portion of the bucket.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,094,543 is directed to a paint mixing container comprising a main body of circular cross section with a base, side walls and an open top. There is a stirring arm comprising a rotatable central shaft with a helical blade rigidly mounted about the central shaft. As well, there is a removable cover with locking means to allow the cover to be attached to the main body. The removable cover has a sealable opening and means to rotatably support the stirring arm in the interior of the main body.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,122,973 discloses disposable thin internal fluid-tight liners vacuum-formed from relatively thick thermoplastic sheet material; each such liner has exceedingly thin bottom and side walls but is self-sustaining in shape because of circular stiffening by a thick upper rim shaped to snap-lock with and overhang the bucket rim and also because of longitudinal stiffening imparted by several inwardly-projecting hemicylindrical ribs disposed along the side walls where they will serve as vents facilitating insertion and removal of the close-fitting bucket liner.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,487,989 is directed to a container assembly employing rigid outer portions and a pleated liner.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,630,938 discusses a cushioned bucket liner having cutout portions to accommodate the bucket handle.

It can be seen from the foregoing that the need exists for a bucket liner that provides a durable, inexpensive, easily manufactured, and simple-to-use liner adapted to a wide variety of potential applications.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A liner is provided for a generally cylindrical bucket having an upper rim, a contiguous side wall and a bottom defining an interior, and a handle mechanism on an outer surface of the sidewall. The liner includes a collar portion adapted and constructed to snap-fit onto the upper rim of the bucket. A liner body is secured to the collar portion, and has a shape generally conforming to the interior of the bucket. At least one tab is secured to the collar portion. The tab has a shape and location adapted and constructed to facilitate removal of the liner from the bucket At least one overhang is secured to the liner and engages the bucket handle mechanism to support the liner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a receptacle liner constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a sectional view of the FIG. 1 embodiment.

FIG. 3 illustrates a detailed view of an adjustable strainer constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of another embodiment of a receptacle liner constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates a detailed sectional view of a collar portion of the present invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of yet another embodiment of a receptacle liner constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view, partially broken away, of an embodiment of the present invention including a ramp.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following description, specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent that the invention may be practiced without these specific details. Without departing from the generality of the invention disclosed herein and without limiting the scope of the invention, the discussion that follows, will refer to the invention as depicted in the drawings.

An embodiment of a receptacle liner 10 in accordance with the principles of the present invention is shown in FIG. 1. The receptacle liner 10 is illustrated in a standard bucket 12 having an upper rim 14, a contiguous sidewall 16 and bottom 18 defining an interior. A handle mechanism 20 includes an arcuate handle element 22 attached to the bucket sidewall 16 at least one pivot connection, such as pivot connection 24. Although the liner 10 is shown as being associated with a standard bucket, it is to be understood that this is for illustrative purposes only, and that the liner of the present invention is adaptable for use with any suitable receptacle.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the liner 10 includes a collar portion 26 adapted and constructed to snap-fit onto the upper rim 14 of the bucket 12. Removal of the collar portion 26 from the upper rim 14 of the bucket 12 can be improved by providing at least one optional tab 28 on the collar portion 26. The at least one tab 28 and has a shape and location adapted and constructed to facilitate removal of the liner 10 from the bucket 12. Preferably, the tab 28 is positioned outside the range of motion of the handle mechanism 20, so as to not interfere with operation of the handle mechanism 20. The tab 28 facilitates quick and easy removal of the liner 10 from the bucket 12. The tab 28 can extend any suitable distance to facilitate removal of the liner 10 from the bucket 12.

A liner body 30 is secured to the collar portion 26 and extends downwardly therefrom. The liner body 30 has a shape generally conforming to the interior of the bucket 12, here illustrated as being generally cylindrical. The liner body 30 can vary in shape and size to accommodate buckets of varying shapes and sizes. The liner body 30 can have a smooth surface, as illustrated in FIG. 6, or the surface can be altered with, for example, a plurality of vertical grooves 32, as illustrated in FIG. 1. The vertical grooves can 32 serve to enhance the stiffness and rigidity of the liner body 30, and enable the liner body 12 to maintain its shape under heavy use. Any other non-planar shape alterations to the liner body 30, such as, for example bubbles alone or in combination with, for example grooves, can be provided to enhance the stiffness and rigidity of the body liner 30.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, at least one overhang, here shown as overhang 34 is secured to or integrally formed in the liner 10. As illustrated, the overhang 34 extends outwardly and downwardly from the collar portion 26. The overhang 34 engages a respective pivot connection 24 of the bucket handle mechanism 20. The overhang 34 serves to support the liner 10, and to prevent unwanted rotational movement of the liner 10 during use. The overhang 34 can loosely engage the pivot connection 24, although preferably a tight fit is provided between the pivot connection 24 and the overhang 34. When the liner is used for mixing substances, such as, for example, drywall mud, the overhang 34 holds the liner 10 stationery with respect to the bucket 12 while the drywall mud moves within the liner 10. The overhang 34 can be provided with a plurality of bubbles (not shown) or grooves 36 to enhance the strength and stiffness of the overhang 34. The overhang 34 can extend any suitable distance below the collar portion 26.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3, an optional removable strainer 38 can be provided with the liner 10, to be used in any suitable application such as, but not limited to, where a draining or rinsing function of the liner 10 is desired. For example, the strainer 38 can support toys that are rinsed and then dried on the strainer 38. The strainer 38 can also be used to support items, such as paintbrushes, wet rags, dirty work clothes, plants, or any other item. The strainer 38 can be used to elevate such items from the bottom 18 of the liner 10. Where vertical grooves 32 are provided, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the strainer 38 can be shaped to include inwardly extending engaging members 39 to secure the strainer 38 to the liner 10. Alternatively, at least one strainer support 40 can be provided on the liner body 30 of the liner 10 as illustrated in FIG. 3. Further, multiple strainer supports can be positioned along the liner body 30 to provide vertical adjustment of the strainer 38. A suitable strainer support 40, such as an inwardly facing support protrusion is illustrated in FIG. 3 can be provided on the liner body 30 of the liner 10 to hold the strainer 38 within the liner 10.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the tab 28 is positioned so as to not interfere with rotation of the handle 22 about the bucket 12.

FIG. 5 illustrates a cross section of the collar portion 26 taken along lines 5-5 of FIG. 4. In this embodiment, the collar portion 26 is shown to tightly fit the rim 14 of the bucket 12 to further secure the collar portion 26 to the bucket 12. Alternatively, the collar portion 26 can be provided with any suitable shape and can extend downwardly any suitable distance to provide for a good fit for the liner 10 on the bucket 12.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, the liner 10 can further include optional bump out sections, such as a ramp 42. The ramp 42 can provide a surface for prepping a roller for painting, handwashing clothing, wringing a mop, or any other suitable application. The ramp 42 can be any suitable length. For example, the ramp 42 can extend the full length of the bucket 12, or the ramp 42 can extend part way down the liner body 30. Further, the ramp 42 need not be formed at up near the collar portion 26 of the liner 10, but can for example be formed beginning midway down the body liner 30 of the liner 10. Other bump out sections adapted for holding items, such as brushes, cleaning tools, coffee cups, or for wringing water from objects, such as a rag, mop, or window cleaning tool, can also be provided along the body liner 30 of the bucket 10.

The liner 10 can be fabricated from any lightweight, strong, durable, and inexpensive material. It is contemplated that a variety of plastics will prove suitable, and that particular advantage may be achieved through the use of a thermoplastic such as PET.

While this invention has been described in connection with the best mode presently contemplated by the inventor for carrying out his invention, the preferred embodiments described and shown are for purposes of illustration only, and are not to be construed as constituting any limitations of the invention. Modifications will be obvious to those skilled in the art, and all modifications that do not depart from the spirit of the invention are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

The invention resides not in any one of these features per se, but rather in the particular combinations of some or all of them herein disclosed and claimed and it is distinguished from the prior art in these particular combinations of some or all of its structures for the functions specified.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, including variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification, that would be deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. 

1. A liner for a bucket having an upper rim, at least one contiguous side wall defining an interior, and a handle mechanism on an outer surface of the at least one sidewall, the liner comprising the following: a collar portion adapted and constructed to snap-fit onto the upper rim of the bucket; a liner body secured to the collar portion and having a shape generally conforming to the interior of the bucket; at least one tab secured to the collar portion, the tab having a shape and location adapted and constructed to facilitate removal of the liner from the bucket; and at least one overhang secured to the liner and engaging the bucket handle mechanism to support the liner.
 2. A liner in accordance with claim 1, wherein the at least one overhang comprises a pair of overhangs.
 3. A liner in accordance with claim 2, wherein each overhang is located at an opposite side of the collar portion.
 4. A liner in accordance with claim 1, wherein the at least one overhang is provided with grooves to enhance stiffness of the at least one overhang.
 5. A liner in accordance with claim 1, further comprising grooves formed in the liner body to enhance stiffness of the liner body.
 6. A liner in accordance with claim 5, wherein the grooves formed in the liner body comprise vertical grooves.
 7. A liner in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a strainer adapted and constructed to fit within the liner body.
 8. A liner in accordance with claim 1, wherein the liner is fabricated from a plastic material.
 9. A liner in accordance with claim 1, wherein the liner is fabricated from PET.
 10. A liner in accordance with claim 1, wherein the bucket is generally cylindrical, and liner body is generally cylindrical.
 11. A liner for a generally cylindrical bucket having an upper rim, a contiguous side wall and a bottom defining an interior, and a handle mechanism on an outer surface of the sidewall, the liner comprising the following: a generally annular collar portion adapted and constructed to snap-fit onto the upper rim of the bucket; a generally cylindrical liner body secured to the collar portion; and at least one overhang secured to the liner and engaging the bucket handle mechanism to support the liner.
 12. A liner in accordance with claim 11, wherein the at least one overhang comprises a pair of overhangs.
 13. A liner in accordance with claim 12, wherein the overhangs are located diametrically opposite one another on the collar portion.
 14. A liner in accordance with claim 13, wherein the overhangs are provided with grooves to enhance stiffness of the overhangs.
 15. A liner in accordance with claim 11, further comprising vertical grooves formed in the liner body to enhance stiffness of the liner body.
 17. A liner in accordance with claim 11, further comprising a strainer adapted and constructed to fit within the liner body.
 18. A liner in accordance with claim 11, wherein the liner is fabricated from PET.
 19. A liner in accordance with claim 11, further comprising at least one tab secured to the collar portion, the tab having a shape and location adapted and constructed to facilitate removal of the liner from the bucket.
 20. A liner for a generally cylindrical bucket having an upper rim, a contiguous side wall and a bottom defining an interior, and a handle mechanism extending from opposite sides of an outer surface of the sidewall, the liner comprising the following: a generally annular collar portion adapted and constructed to snap-fit onto the upper rim of the bucket; at least one tab secured to the collar portion, the tab having a shape and location adapted and constructed to facilitate removal of the liner from the bucket; a generally cylindrical liner body secured to the collar portion, the liner body being provided with a plurality of vertical grooves to enhance stiffness; and a pair of overhangs secured to the liner and engaging the bucket handle mechanism to support the liner, each of the overhangs being provided with a plurality of grooves to enhance stiffness. 